Understanding the Chemistry of H2 Production for 1-Propanol Reforming: Pathway and Support Modification Effects

Abstract

The liquid-phase reforming of 1-propanol over a platinum-based catalyst on a number of supports was investigated. Propanol is being used as a surrogate for biomass-derived glycerol as a source of hydrogen in the conversion of cellulose to transportation fuels. The test conditions were high temperature (230–260 °C) and pressure (69 bar) in the presence of liquid water. Under these conditions, Pt over alumina coated (via atomic layer deposition) with a layer of approximately 1 nm of Al2O3, TiO2, or Ce2O3 (Pt–Al, Pt–Ti, Pt–Ce) is active for the reforming of 1-propanol. The Pt–Ti catalyst had the highest 1-propanol conversion rate per gram of catalyst followed by the Pt–Al and Pt–Ce catalysts, which had similar rates of reaction. Selectivity for each catalyst was primarily to ethane and CO2, with the ratio between the two products being close to unity regardless of temperature. The hydrogen yield was constantly higher than twice the ethane yield, indicating that H2 formation occurs before ethane is formed. De...